Ug. Yes. Horrible, horrible. It was like "let's teach these ignorant viewers that WAR is BAD. No matter that it's never mentioned in the actual book--I know what's REALLY going on."

I am always amazed at screenwriters who think that the classics need to be completely re-written by them. I'm not against some tweaks but completely changing the ending and the tone of a classic is ridiculous.

PWNN said

Quote:

That Room With A Few "update" was as bad as that abomination rolled out as the TV miniseries WWI sequel to Anne of Green Gables. YUCK!

YES! I was just going to post that when I read your comments!! Why take "Anne's House Of Dreams" and make it into "Crazy War Nightmares for Avonlea" starring some other made up guy not even from the Anne books?! Talk about crazy hubris on the part of the writer.

My favorite is the rollicking 1970s duo (Reed, Chamberlain, York, Lee, Dunaway, Heston!) but I also enjoyed the 1940s edition with Gene Kelly and Lana Turner. No other version I've seen has even been halfway decent and the new looks to continue the trend.

Gene Kelly's version is my favourite. However, I especially love how they sneakily cut and pasted a fight scene from that film into SINGING IN THE RAIN. A sly wink at the audience .

I actually prefer film versions of MAN IN THE IRON MASK though - it's a lot more filmable, I suppose. I loved the Richard Chamberlain version and, even though they took so many liberties, I also loved the old Louis Hayward version as well. Goes without saying that I completely avoided the recent diCaprio version._________________"Socialism to help sick people - bad.
Socialism to help billionaires - good."

My favorite is the rollicking 1970s duo (Reed, Chamberlain, York, Lee, Dunaway, Heston!) but I also enjoyed the 1940s edition with Gene Kelly and Lana Turner. No other version I've seen has even been halfway decent and the new looks to continue the trend.

Gene Kelly's version is my favourite. However, I especially love how they sneakily cut and pasted a fight scene from that film into SINGING IN THE RAIN. A sly wink at the audience .

I actually prefer film versions of MAN IN THE IRON MASK though - it's a lot more filmable, I suppose. I loved the Richard Chamberlain version and, even though they took so many liberties, I also loved the old Louis Hayward version as well. Goes without saying that I completely avoided the recent diCaprio version.

Chamberlain - not only King of the Mini-series but Dumas adaptations - Man In The Iron Mask, The Musketeer movies and The Count Of Monte Cristo (the later might be my favorite).

And yes the wink in Singing In The Rain to The Three Musketeers is wonderful cheeky fun.

The only thing that rivals - "No No No, Yes Yes Yes" is Kelly actually dancing in the rain._________________"My safe word is monkey"

Chamberlain - not only King of the Mini-series but Dumas adaptations - Man In The Iron Mask, The Musketeer movies and The Count Of Monte Cristo (the later might be my favorite).

And yes the wink in Singing In The Rain to The Three Musketeers is wonderful cheeky fun.

The only thing that rivals - "No No No, Yes Yes Yes" is Kelly actually dancing in the rain.

I saw the film as a child but it was only when I fell in love for the first time that I then really understood that routine . But come on - "Make 'em laugh"? Or "Good Mornin'"? Or "Moses Supposes". Or the first screech: "What's the big idea?"? Or "Dignity. Always Dignity."?

Film bliss - might need to rewatch...

As for THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO - the best version in my mind is the French mini-series with Gerald Depardieu in the title role. One scene that sticks in my mind is when Mercedes finally figures out who he is and midway through the conversation, they start unconsiously using the familiar "tu" rather than "vous" form. It means so much more because up until then, both Dantes and Mercedes used the formal form even with, respectively, their mistress and husband, which I imagine is historically accurate._________________"Socialism to help sick people - bad.
Socialism to help billionaires - good."

I actually prefer film versions of MAN IN THE IRON MASK though - it's a lot more filmable, I suppose. I loved the Richard Chamberlain version and, even though they took so many liberties, I also loved the old Louis Hayward version as well. Goes without saying that I completely avoided the recent diCaprio version.

You know, I never expected to like the DiCaprio version, but it was being screened at some event I was stuck at and it was actually kind of charming. Jeremy Irons is always great, and although DiCaprio is weak as the king version of the Man, he's really good as the one who was locked up. I would actually recommend that.

I thought the trailer for the new one looked bizarre but I actually do like Milla Jovovich. I thought she was great in The Fifth Element.

You know, I never expected to like the DiCaprio version, but it was being screened at some event I was stuck at and it was actually kind of charming. Jeremy Irons is always great, and although DiCaprio is weak as the king version of the Man, he's really good as the one who was locked up. I would actually recommend that.

I'll second that recommendation. It's flawed but quite watchable. Particularly loved Gabriel Byrne and thought DiCaprio gave an interesting performance.